Volcano ash temporarily closes central Mexico airport

Ashes from the Popocatepetl volcano have rained down on the airport of the central Mexican city of Puebla, prompting authorities to temporarily shut down operations.
Four explosions and 39 low-intensity exhalations of ash were recorded between Sunday and yesterday at the 5,452-meter (17,887-foot) volcano, according the National Disaster Prevention Center.
Jesus Morales, director of the Puebla state civil protection department, said yesterday airport operations would be closed for three hours so that workers can remove ash from the runaway.
The shutdown will not affect any flights as none are due to land during that time, he said.